Module for powering an electronic smoking device portion

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a module ( 40, 140, 240 ) for powering an electronic smoking device portion ( 10, 12, 14, 100 ). The module ( 40, 140, 240 ) comprises a first coupling element ( 41 ) adapted to connect to the electronic smoking device portion ( 10, 12, 14, 100 ), a second coupling element ( 42 ) adapted to connect to a portable electronic device ( 50 ), and a power supply element ( 60 ) adapted for powering the electronic smoking device portion ( 10, 12, 14, 0 ). The power supply element ( 60 ) comprises an energy storage ( 60 ). The module ( 40, 140, 240 ) is adapted to supply energy, received from the portable electronic device ( 50 ) via the second coupling element ( 42 ), to the energy storage ( 60 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to modules for powering anelectronic smoking device portion, and in particular to a module forpowering an electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic smoking device, such as an electronic cigarette(e-cigarette), typically has a housing accommodating an electric powersource (e.g. a single use or rechargeable battery, electrical plug, orother power source), and an electrically operable atomizer. The atomizervaporizes or atomizes liquid supplied from a reservoir and providesvaporized or atomized liquid as an aerosol. Control electronics controlthe activation of the atomizer. In some electronic cigarettes, anairflow sensor is provided within the electronic smoking device, whichdetects a user puffing on the device (e.g., by sensing an under-pressureor an air flow pattern through the device). The airflow sensor indicatesor signals the puff to the control electronics to power up the deviceand generate vapor. In other e-cigarettes, a switch is used to power upthe e-cigarette to generate a puff of vapor.

When the battery of the electronic smoking device is discharged, amobile user may undesirably be unable to recharge the battery at anylocation. A battery level indicator integrated with the electronicsmoking device could help to avoid such situations, but typically wouldincrease the cost of production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda module for powering an electronic smoking device portion. The modulecomprises a first coupling element adapted to connect to the electronicsmoking device portion, a second coupling element adapted to connect toa portable electronic device, and a power supply element adapted forpowering the electronic smoking device portion. The power supply elementcomprises an energy storage. The module is adapted to supply energy,received from the portable electronic device via the second couplingelement, to the energy storage.

The characteristics, features and advantages of this invention and themanner in which they are obtained as described above, will become moreapparent and be more clearly understood in connection with the followingdescription of exemplary embodiments, which are explained with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, same element numbers indicate same elements in each ofthe views:

FIGS. 1 to 2 are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of exemplaryelectronic smoking devices;

FIGS. 3 to 4 are schematic cross-sectional illustrations of modulesaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, wherein the system includes a module, anelectronic smoking device portion, and a portable electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the following, an electronic smoking device, for example ane-cigarette, a module, and a system will be exemplarily described withreference to the drawings. The electronic smoking device or a portionthereof (electronic smoking device portion) may be coupled with a moduleaccording to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

As is shown in FIG. 1, an electronic smoking device 10 typically has ahousing comprising a cylindrical hollow tube having an end cap 16. Thecylindrical hollow tube may be a single-piece or a multiple-piece tube.In FIG. 1, the cylindrical hollow tube is shown as a two-piece structurehaving a battery portion 12 and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14.Together the battery portion 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoirportion 14 form a cylindrical tube which can be approximately the samesize and shape as a conventional cigarette, typically about 100 mm witha 7.5 mm diameter, although lengths may range from 70 to 150 or 180 mm,and diameters from 5 to 20 mm.

The battery portion 12 and atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 aretypically made of metal, e.g. steel or aluminum, or of hardwearingplastic and act together with the end cap 16 to provide a housing tocontain the components of the electronic smoking device 10. The batteryportion 12 and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may be configuredto fit together by a friction push fit, a snap fit, or a bayonetattachment, magnetic fit, or screw threads. The end cap 16 is providedat the front end of the battery portion 12. The end cap 16 may be madefrom translucent plastic or other translucent material to allow alight-emitting diode (LED) 20 positioned near the end cap to emit lightthrough the end cap. The end cap can be made of metal or other materialsthat do not allow light to pass.

An air inlet may be provided in the end cap, at the edge of the inletnext to the cylindrical hollow tube, anywhere along the length of thecylindrical hollow tube, or at the connection of the battery portion 12and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. FIG. 1 shows a pair of airinlets 38 provided at the intersection between the battery portion 12and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14.

A battery 18, an LED 20, control electronics 22 and optionally anairflow sensor 24 are provided within the cylindrical hollow tubebattery portion 12. The battery 18 is electrically connected to thecontrol electronics 22, which are electrically connected to the LED 20and the airflow sensor 24. In this example the LED 20 is at the frontend of the battery portion 12, adjacent to the end cap 16 and thecontrol electronics 22 and airflow sensor 24 are provided in the centralcavity at the other end of the battery 18 adjacent the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14.

The airflow sensor 24 acts as a puff detector, detecting a user puffingor sucking on the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the electronicsmoking device 10. The airflow sensor 24 can be any suitable sensor fordetecting changes in airflow or air pressure, such as a microphoneswitch including a deformable membrane which is caused to move byvariations in air pressure. Alternatively the sensor may be a Hallelement or an electro-mechanical sensor.

The control electronics 22 are also connected to an atomizer 26. In theexample shown, the atomizer 26 includes a heating coil 28 which iswrapped around a wick 30 extending across a central passage 32 of theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. The coil 28 may be positionedanywhere in the atomizer 26 and may be transverse or parallel to theliquid reservoir 34. The wick 30 and heating coil 28 do not completelyblock the central passage 32. Rather an air gap is provided on eitherside of the heating coil 28 enabling air to flow past the heating coil28 and the wick 30. The atomizer may alternatively use other forms ofheating elements, such as ceramic heaters, or fiber or mesh materialheaters. Nonresistance heating elements such as sonic, piezo and jetspray may also be used in the atomizer in place of the heating coil.

The central passage 32 is surrounded by a cylindrical liquid reservoir34 with the ends of the wick 30 abutting or extending into the liquidreservoir 34. The wick 30 may be a porous material such as a bundle offiberglass fibers, with liquid in the liquid reservoir 34 drawn bycapillary action from the ends of the wick 30 towards the centralportion of the wick 30 encircled by the heating coil 28.

The liquid reservoir 34 may alternatively include wadding soaked inliquid which encircles the central passage 32 with the ends of the wick30 abutting the wadding. In other embodiments the liquid reservoir 34may comprise a toroidal cavity arranged to be filled with liquid andwith the ends of the wick 30 extending into the toroidal cavity.

An air inhalation port 36 is provided at the back end of theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 remote from the end cap 16. Theinhalation port 36 may be formed from the cylindrical hollow tubeatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 or maybe formed in an end cap.

In use, a user sucks on the electronic smoking device 10. This causesair to be drawn into the electronic smoking device 10 via one or moreair inlets, such as air inlets 38, and to be drawn through the centralpassage 32 towards the air inhalation port 36. The change in airpressure which arises is detected by the airflow sensor 24, whichgenerates an electrical signal that is passed to the control electronics22. In response to the signal, the control electronics 22 activate theheating coil 28, which causes liquid present in the wick 30 to bevaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous and liquidcomponents) within the central passage 32. As the user continues to suckon the electronic smoking device 10, this aerosol is drawn through thecentral passage 32 and inhaled by the user. At the same time the controlelectronics 22 also activate the LED 20 causing the LED 20 to light upwhich is visible via the translucent end cap 16 mimicking the appearanceof a glowing ember at the end of a conventional cigarette. As liquidpresent in the wick 30 is converted into an aerosol more liquid is drawninto the wick 30 from the liquid reservoir 34 by capillary action andthus is available to be converted into an aerosol through subsequentactivation of the heating coil 28.

Some electronic smoking devices are intended to be disposable and theelectric power in the battery 18 is intended to be sufficient tovaporize the liquid contained within the liquid reservoir 34, afterwhich the electronic smoking device 10 is thrown away. In otherembodiments the battery 18 is rechargeable and the liquid reservoir 34is refillable. In the cases where the liquid reservoir 34 is a toroidalcavity, this may be achieved by refilling the liquid reservoir 34 via arefill port. In other embodiments the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion14 of the electronic smoking device 10 is detachable from the batteryportion 12 and a new atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 can be fittedwith a new liquid reservoir 34 thereby replenishing the supply ofliquid. In some cases, replacing the liquid reservoir 34 may involvereplacement of the heating coil 28 and the wick 30 along with thereplacement of the liquid reservoir 34. A replaceable unit comprisingthe atomizer 26 and the liquid reservoir 34 is called a cartomizer.

The new liquid reservoir 34 may be in the form of a cartridge having acentral passage 32 through which a user inhales aerosol. In otherembodiments, aerosol may flow around the exterior of the cartridge 32 toan air inhalation port 36.

In the example shown, the electronic smoking device 10 comprises acoupling element 11 adapted to couple to a module 40, 140, 240 (shown inFIGS. 3 to 5) according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. Inthe example shown in FIG. 1, the coupling element 11 is an electricalconnector element 11 adapted to receive electrical energy via a galvanicconnection. In the example shown, the electrical connector element 11 isconnected to the battery 18 of the battery portion 12 of the electronicsmoking device 10. Thus, the battery 18 of the electronic smoking deviceportion 12 may be charged via the electrical connector element 11. Aswill be described later, the module 40, 140, 240 (shown in FIGS. 3 to 5)comprises a first coupling element 41. Therefore, the coupling element11, 110 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) of the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100 may also be called further first coupling element 11, 110within this document.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure andfunction of a typical electronic smoking device 10, variations alsoexist. For example, the LED 20 may be omitted. The airflow sensor 24 maybe placed adjacent the end cap 16 rather than in the middle of theelectronic smoking device. The airflow sensor 24 may be replaced with aswitch which enables a user to activate the electronic smoking devicemanually rather than in response to the detection of a change in airflow or air pressure. The further first coupling element 11 of theelectronic smoking device 10 may alternatively be adapted to connect viaa non-galvanic connection, for example an inductive connection or anyother wireless connection. The further first connector element 11 may beadapted to receive and transmit control signals for controlling theelectronic smoking device 10 or a portion 12, 14 thereof, for example bycommunicating with the control electronics 22.

Different types of atomizers may be used. Thus for example, the atomizermay have a heating coil in a cavity in the interior of a porous bodysoaked in liquid. In this design aerosol is generated by evaporating theliquid within the porous body either by activation of the coil heatingthe porous body or alternatively by the heated air passing over orthrough the porous body. Alternatively the atomizer may use apiezoelectric atomizer to create an aerosol either in combination or inthe absence of a heater.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic smoking device 100according to the previous embodiments, but with the further firstcoupling element 110 of the electronic smoking device portion 12, 14,100 being directly connected to the atomizer 26, in particular theheating coil 28, of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of theelectronic smoking device 100. Thus, the electronic smoking device 100is adapted to enable the direct powering of the atomizer 28 via thefurther first coupling element 110 of the electronic smoking device 100.In the example shown, the battery portion 12 is illustrated by dottedlines to increase visibility, but it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure andfunction of a typical electronic smoking device 100, variations alsoexist. For example, the further first coupling element 110 may be placedadjacent the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. For example, in casethe cylindrical hollow tube is a two-piece structure having a batteryportion 12 and an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14, the furtherfirst coupling element 110 may be adapted to connect to the batteryportion 12. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic smoking device100 has a two-piece structure and may comprise two coupling elements,for example a coupling element 110 integrated with the battery portion12, and another coupling element 110 integrated with the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14. For example, either only the battery portion 12,or only the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may comprise thefurther first coupling element 110. For example, both, the batteryportion 12 and the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may eachcomprise a further first coupling element 110.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a module 40 for powering anelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. In the example shownin FIG. 3, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 can bethe electronic smoking device 10, 100 of the previous embodiments, or aportion 12, 14 thereof, for example the battery portion 12 or theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14.

The module 40 comprises a first coupling element 41 adapted to connectto the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. The firstcoupling element 41 is adapted to transfer energy from the module 40 tothe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. FIG. 3 shows agalvanic connection of the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14,100 to the module 40. Of course, the connection between the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 and the first coupling element 41can be any connection suitable for a transfer of energy from the module40 to the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. In thisexample, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 isconnected to the module 40 via a wired connection, but may also beconnected via a wireless connection. For example, the first couplingelement 41 may be adapted to inductively couple the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to the module 40.

In FIG. 3, the shown first coupling element 41 is a first electricalconnector 41 adapted to detachably connect the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 to the module 40, wherein “detachably connectthe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to the module 40”may refer to any mechanically fixed, but temporary, connection. In theexample shown, the first electrical connector 41 is configured toelectro-mechanically join the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12,14, 100 with the module 40. The first electrical connector 41 is adaptedto electrically supply electrical energy to the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100. FIG. 3 shows that the first couplingelement 41 is configured as a female electrical connector. Of course,the first coupling element 41 can be any suitable electrical connector41 for connecting the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100to the module 40. In FIG. 3, the first coupling element 41 is shown as acoaxial connector 41 for attachment of the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 to the module 40. For example, the coaxialconnector 41 is adapted to electro-mechanically connect theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of the electronic smoking device10, 100 to the module 40. The coaxial connector 41 can either be aconventional connector (e.g. a standard ‘510 connection’ used by mostopen e-cigarette systems) or a proprietary connector that only allows tocouple specific electronic smoking device portions 10, 12, 14, 100, inparticular atomizer/liquid reservoir portions 14 under control of aproprietor (i.e. atomizer/liquid reservoir portions 14 under control ofa specific vendor).

The first coupling element 41 is configured to transfer energy from themodule 40 to the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. Theenergy transferred via the first coupling element 41 to the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 can be used by the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to charge the battery 18 of thebattery portion 12 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100. The energytransferred to the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 viathe first coupling element 41 may be used to directly power theatomizer\liquid reservoir portion 14 of the electronic smoking device10, 100, for example to power the heating coil 28 of the atomizer 26.The energy transferred via the first coupling element 41 to theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 can be used by theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to charge the battery18 of the battery portion 12 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100between puffs and to directly power the atomizer\liquid reservoirportion 14 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100 during a puff.

The first coupling element 41 is further configured to transmit databetween the module 40 and the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12,14, 100. The transmission of data may refer to the transmission ofanalogue or digital data. The data transmission between the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 and the module 40, via the firstcoupling element 41, enables a communication between the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 and the module 40. For example, acontrol signal may be transmitted from the module 40 to the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to control the charging orpowering process or to control other functionalities of the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. Moreover, status informationrelated to a charging state of the battery 18 within the battery portion12 may be requested and received by the module 40 via the first couplingelement 41. A control signal may be transmitted from the module 40 tothe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to control theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. The module 40 may thereby indicateto the control electronics 22 to control the electronic smoking device10, 100 or a portion 12, 14 thereof.

The module 40 comprises a second coupling element 42 adapted to connectto a portable electronic device 50. The portable electronic device 50can be any portable electronic device, including but not limited to ahandheld computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a media player,personal digital assistant (PDA) and the like.

The second coupling element 42 is adapted to receive energy from theportable electronic device 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3, theconnection of the portable electronic device 50 to the module 40 is agalvanic connection. Of course, the connection between the portableelectronic device 50 and the module 40 can be any connection suitablefor a transfer of energy from the portable electronic device 50 to themodule 40. In the example shown, the portable electronic device 50 isconnected to the module 40 via a wired connection, but a wirelessconnection may be used instead. For example the second coupling element42 may be adapted to inductively couple the portable electronic device50 to the module 40.

FIG. 3 shows that the second coupling element 42 is a second electricalconnector 42 adapted to detachably connect the portable electronicdevice 50 to the module 40, wherein “detachably connect the portableelectronic device 50 to the module 40” may refer to any mechanicallyfixed, but temporary, connection. The second electrical connector 42 isconfigured to electro-mechanically join the portable electronic device50 with the module 40. The second electrical connector 42 is adapted toreceive electrical energy from the portable electronic device 50. Ofcourse, the second coupling element 42 can be any suitable electricalconnector 42 for connecting the portable electronic device 50 to themodule 40. The second coupling element 42 is configured as a maleelectrical connector, for example a male connector according to theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) standard, in particular according to theMicro-USB (mUSB) standard. The male mUSB connector protrudes from ahousing of the module 40. The male mUSB connector is pluggable into theportable electronic device 50.

The energy transferred to the module 40 via the second coupling element42 is used by the module 40 to either store the energy within the module40 or deliver the energy to the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100 to directly power the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100, or both. For example, the energy transferred from theportable electronic device 50 to the module 40 via the first and secondcoupling element 41, 42 may directly power the atomizer\liquid reservoirportion 14 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100, for example theheating coil 28 of the atomizer 26.

The second coupling element 42 is further configured to transmit databetween the portable electronic device 50 and the module 40. The datatransferred, via the second coupling element 42, between the portableelectronic device 50 and the module 40 enables the portable electronicdevice 50 to communicate with the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100 via the module 40. For example, the portable electronicdevice 50 may communicate with the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100 to control the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14,100, wherein—for example—the powering of the atomizer/liquid reservoirportion 14 is controlled by the portable electronic device 50 via themodule 40, or wherein the charging of the battery 18 of the batteryportion 18 is controlled by the portable electronic device 50 via themodule 40. Additionally or alternatively, the module 40 may beconfigured to acquire information from the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100. For example, the module 40 may be configured toacquire status information related to a charging state of the battery 18within the battery portion 12. The status information acquired from theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 may be returned, viathe module 40, to the portable electronic device 50. The data receivedfrom the portable electronic device 50 may be transmitted, by the module40, to the control electronics 22 to control the electronic smokingdevice 10, 100 or a portion 12, 14 thereof, for example to control atleast one of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 and one or morelight-emitting diodes (LED) 20.

A power supply element 60 is provided within the module 40. The powersupply element 60 is adapted to power the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 100 by supplying, via the first coupling element 41, energyto the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. The powersupply element 60 of the module 40 comprises an energy storage 60adapted to store energy received from the portable electronic device 50via the second coupling element 42. The module 40 is adapted to transferthe energy, received via the second coupling element 42, to the energystorage 60 of the module 40. The energy storage 60 shown in FIG. 3 is astorage battery adapted to charge the electronic smoking device portion10, 12, 14, 100. The energy storage 60 may also be adapted to directlypower the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100, for examplethe atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14. The energy storage 60 can beany suitable secondary battery to supply power to the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100. For example, the energy storage 60 maybe a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The energy storage 60 isintegrated in a housing of the module 40. The energy storage 60 has acapacity between 1 and 5000 milliampere-hours (mAh), preferred between10 and 2500 mAh, more preferred between 30 and 500 mAh, even morepreferred approximately 400 mAh. The power supply element 60 is adaptedto transfer electrical power to the electronic smoking device portion10, 12, 14, 100 via the first coupling element 41 with an electricalcurrent between 0.1 and 5 Amperes, preferably between 0.5 and 4 Amperes,even more preferably between 1 and 3 Amperes.

The power supply element 60 may be directly controllable, via the secondcoupling element 42, by the portable electronic device 50. Additionallyor alternatively, the module 40 may comprise a controller unit 70adapted to control the power supply element 60.

The controller unit 70 may optionally be provided within the module 40.The controller unit 70 is configured to communicate with the portableelectronic device 50. FIG. 3 shows that the controller unit 70 comprisesa microcontroller 70, wherein the microcontroller 70 is connected to thefirst coupling element 41 via circuit portions 61, 71, and to the secondcoupling element 42 via circuit portions 62, 72. The circuit portions61, 62, 71, 72 are adapted to transmit electrical signals between themicrocontroller 70, on the one hand, and the first and second couplingelements 41, 42, on the other hand. In the example shown, a mobileapplication program executed on the portable electronic device 50 maytrigger the portable electronic device 50 to generate an input signalwhich is transmitted to the controller unit 70 of the module 40 tocontrol at least one of the power supply element 60 and the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. The controller unit 70 may beconfigured to transmit a control signal to the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 via the first coupling element 41. The controlsignal is transmitted by the controller unit 70 to the electronicsmoking portion 10, 12, 14 upon reception of the input signal via thesecond coupling element 42. Thus, the module 40 is adapted to enable auser of the portable electronic device 50 to at least one of control theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100, and acquireinformation from the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100.

In case the power supply element 60 is directly controlled, via thesecond coupling element 42, by the portable electronic device 50, thepower supply element 60 may comprise or be integrated with its own basicmicrocontroller (not shown). In this case, the module 40 is adapted totransfer energy to and from the energy storage 60 without anotherintervening microcontroller. In this case, the electrical circuitportions 61, 62, 71, 72 may not be connected to a controller unit 70,but directly connected to the power supply element 60 (not shown).

In case the module 40 comprises the controller unit 70, the power supplyelement 60 may comprise only the energy storage 60, but not its ownbasic microcontroller. In the example shown in FIG. 3, electrical energyis transferred from the module 40 to the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 via electrical circuit portions 61, 63, 64, 71especially via galvanic connections. The energy stored in the portableelectronic device 50 is delivered to the energy storage 60 of the module40 via the second coupling element 42, wherein the power is suppliedfrom the second coupling element 42 to the energy storage 60 via thecircuit portions 62, 63, 64, 72.

In both cases—i.e. with or without controller unit 70 —, the module 40is adapted to supply energy, received from the portable electronicdevice 50 via the second coupling element 42, to the energy storage 60.That is, the module 40 may be either adapted to supply the energyindirectly—via the electrical circuit portions 61, 63, 64, 71 and viacontrol electronics such as the controller unit 70—from the portableelectronic device 50 to the energy storage 60 (see FIG. 3) ordirectly—e.g. without control electronics in between—from the portableelectronic device 50 to the energy storage 60 (not shown in FIG. 3).Likewise, the module 40 may be adapted to supply energy of the energystorage 60 via the first coupling element 41 to the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100, either indirectly—via the circuitportions 62, 63, 64, 72 and via control electronics such as thecontroller unit 70—or directly—e.g. without control electronics inbetween.

The controller unit 70 may be adapted to power the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100 with power from the energy storage 60,via the first coupling element 41. The controller unit 70 may be furtheradapted to transfer energy from the portable electronic device 50 to theenergy storage 60, via the second coupling element 42. The controllerunit 70 may herein also be called control electronics. For example, theenergy storage 60 may be connected to the control electronics, forexample a printed circuit board (PCB) having a microcontroller, whereinthe control electronics may be adapted to direct the power from aselected input device to an output device. The input device may beselected from at least one of the portable electronic device 50 and theenergy storage 60. The output device may be selected from at least oneof the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 and the energystorage 60. For example, in case the energy storage 60 comprisesrelatively low amounts of energy, the power, received from the portableelectronic device 50, is transferred via the PCB to the energy storage60. When the user takes a puff, energy is transferred, via the PCB, fromthe energy storage 60 to the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12,14, 100.

An activation button 43 is optionally provided within the module 40. Theactivation button 43 is operable to generate an activation signal. Thecontroller unit 70 is configured to transmit a power control signal tothe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 upon generation ofthe activation signal. For example, the power control signal is passedto the control electronics 22. In response to the power control signalpassed to the control electronics 22, the control electronics 22activates the heating coil 28, which causes liquid present in the wick30 to be vaporized creating an aerosol (which may comprise gaseous andliquid components) within the central passage 32. The activation buttonis a push-button, but any other suitable sensor may be used to detect anactivation of the atomizer 26 by the user.

A first light source 44 and a second light source 45 are optionallyintegrated with the module 40 to indicate whether the module 40 is inthe process of charging or not. For example, the first light source 44may be a red LED 44 which emits red light when the module 40 is chargingthe energy storage 60, and the second light source 45 may be a green LED45 which emits green light when the module 40 has completed charging theenergy storage 60. The first and second light sources 44, 45 oradditional light sources (not shown) may likewise indicate whether theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 has completed chargingor not.

Of course, in addition to the above description of the structure andfunction of a typical module, variations also exist. For example, thefirst and second light source, and the activation button may be omitted.At least one of the first electrical connector 41 and second electricalconnector 42 may be replaced with an inductive coupling unit whichenables a wireless transfer of energy.

Different types of power supply elements may be used. Thus for example,the power supply element may be realized by any power supply unit or byany battery charging unit suitable to power the electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100. Powering the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 may include any supply of energy—for exampleelectrical energy—to the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14,100 via the first coupling element 41. For example, electrical energymay be supplied to the battery portion 12 of the electronic smokingdevice 10, 100 to charge the battery 18. For example, electrical energymay be supplied to the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 of theelectronic smoking device 10, 100 to directly power the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of anotherexemplary embodiment of a module 140, wherein at least one of the firstand second coupling elements 41, 42 of the module 140 are adapted towirelessly transfer energy between the module 140 and the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 or between the module 140 theportable electronic device 50, respectively. Of course, only one or bothof the first and second coupling elements 41, 42 may be adapted forwireless energy transfer. The transfer of energy may be realized byelectrodynamic coupling (which is herein also called inductive couplingor magnetic coupling) or other kinds of energy coupling. Likewise, atleast one of the first and second coupling elements 41, 42 of the module140 are adapted to wirelessly transfer data between the module 140 andthe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 or between themodule 140 and the portable electronic device 50, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system forpowering an electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100, whereinthe system comprises the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14,100, a portable electronic device 50, and a module 240.

For example, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 isany one of the electronic smoking devices 10, 100 of the previousembodiments, or a portion 12, 14 thereof. For example, the module 240 isany one of the modules 40, 140 of the previous embodiments.

The electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 is coupled to themodule 240 via the first coupling element 41, and the portableelectronic device is coupled to the module 240 via the second couplingelement 42. For example, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12,14, 100 is electrically connected to the module 240 via the firstelectrical connector 41, and the portable electronic device iselectrically connected to the module 240 via the second electricalconnector 42.

The portable electronic device 50 is configured to control, via themodule 240, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. Inthe example shown in FIG. 5, the portable electronic device 50 comprisesa human-machine interface 51 to enable a user to control the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 via the human-machine interface51. In this example, the human-machine interface 51 is a touch screen ofthe portable electronic device 50. The human-machine interface 51 mayalso be realized by any other input device, for example by a keyboard, abutton, and the like. The portable electronic device 50 is adapted togenerate an input signal upon interaction of the user with thehuman-machine interface 51, and to transmit the input signal to themodule 240 upon detection of the user input at the human-machineinterface 51.

The electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 is adapted to becoupled to the first coupling element 42 of the module 240, for exampleby means of a mating electrical connector adapted to connect to thefirst electrical connector 41. Likewise, the portable electronic device50 comprises a further second coupling element 52 adapted to be coupledto the second coupling element 42 of the module 240. For example, themodule 240 comprises a male mUSB connector 42 which protrudes from thehousing of the module 240, and the portable electronic device 50comprises a female mUSB connector 52 which is a mating connector to themale mUSB connector 42 of the module 240.

The module 240 is optionally configured to transmit an identificationsignal to the portable electronic device 50 upon attachment of theportable electronic device 50 to the second coupling element 42. Theidentification signal indicates to the portable electronic device 50,that the module 240 is a module 240 for charging an electronic smokingdevice portion 10, 12, 14, 100. The identification signal optionallycomprises information related to the vendor or specific type of hardwareof at least one of the module 240 and the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100. The module 240 is configured to trigger thelaunch of a hardware-specific or vendor-specific application program(mobile-app) on the portable electronic device 50 upon coupling of themodule 240 with the portable electronic device 50 via the secondcoupling element 42. For example, the identification signal triggers aninvitation message to be displayed on the portable electronic device 50,wherein the invitation message enables the user to download ahardware-specific or vendor-specific mobile application program from theInternet.

For example, the module 240 is adapted to begin charging at least one ofthe energy storage 60 of the module 240 and the battery 18 of theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 upon coupling of theportable electronic device 50 to the second coupling element 42, or uponcoupling of the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 to thefirst coupling element 41, respectively. The module 240 may support “USBon-the-go”, which means that the charging of the module 240, inparticular of the energy storage 60 of the module 240, is started uponcoupling the second and further second coupling elements 42, 52respectively. For example, the energy storage 60 of the module 240 maythereby be supplied with electrical power of a battery 53 of theportable electronic device 50 at a current of 100 mA (Milliampere) orhigher.

In use, the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 is poweredvia the module 240, when the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12,14, 100 is coupled to the first coupling element 41.

In case the battery 18 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100 isalmost or completely discharged, or in case the atomizer/liquidreservoir portion 14 is detached from the battery portion 12, theatomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 may be directly powered by themodule 240, when the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion 14 is directlycoupled to the module 240 via the first coupling element 41.

In case the battery 18 of the electronic smoking device 10, 100 isalmost or completely discharged, the battery 18 of the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 100 may be recharged by the module 240, whenthe electronic smoking device 10, 100 is coupled to the module 240 viathe first coupling element 41.

In case the energy storage 60 of the module 240 is almost or completelydischarged, the energy storage 60 may be recharged by the portableelectronic device 50, when the portable electronic device 50 is coupledto the second coupling element 42. A user may interact with thehuman-machine interface 51 of the portable electronic device 50 tocommunicate with the electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100.The portable electronic device 50 may comprise a graphical userinterface (GUI) of a mobile application program to enable a user toadjust power settings, view vaping history, and use other features ofthe electronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 via the module240.

The communication between the portable electronic device 50 and theelectronic smoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100, via the module 240,may include at least one of controlling the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100 and acquiring information from the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100. For example, the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100 may be controlled by controllingat least one of the control electronics 22, the battery 18, the LED 20,the atomizer 26, and other elements of the electronic smoking deviceportion 10, 12, 14, 100, and the acquired information may be related toat least one of a charging state of the battery 18 of the electronicsmoking device portion 10, 12, 14, 100, a vaping history, and any otherinformation retrievable from the electronic smoking device portion 10,12, 14, 100.

In summary, in one aspect the module for powering an electronic smokingdevice portion comprises a first coupling element adapted to connect tothe electronic smoking device portion, a second coupling element adaptedto connect to a portable electronic device, and a power supply elementadapted for powering the electronic smoking device portion, wherein thepower supply element comprises an energy storage, wherein the module isadapted to supply energy, received from the portable electronic devicevia the second coupling element, to the energy storage.

A relatively small storage battery of the module allows the accumulationof an amount of energy which is sufficient to power an electronicsmoking device or a portion thereof. The portable electronic device, forexample a mobile phone, may therefore be configured to supply power tothe module via a further second coupling element. The further secondcoupling element of the portable electronic device may be adapted toconnect to the second coupling element of the module. The furthercoupling element may be a charging connection of the portable electronicdevice. The charging connection may additionally be configured torecharge a secondary battery of the portable electronic device by usinga conventional charging device for the portable electronic device.However, since the portable electronic device may be capable to supplypower to the module at an electrical current of only a few hundredMilliamperes, the energy storage of the module enables to supply asufficient amount of energy to the electronic smoking device portion pertime interval.

The electronic smoking device portion may comprise an atomizer, whereinthe module is adapted to power the atomizer of the electronic smokingdevice portion by transferring energy, via the first coupling element,from the energy storage to the atomizer of the electronic smoking deviceportion.

The electronic smoking device portion may comprise a battery, whereinthe module is adapted to power the battery of the electronic smokingdevice portion in order to charge the battery of the electronic smokingdevice portion, The battery of the electronic smoking device portion maybe charged by transferring energy, via the first coupling element, fromthe energy storage to the battery of the electronic smoking deviceportion.

The energy storage may comprise a storage battery adapted to power theelectronic smoking device portion via the first coupling element.

The power supply element of the module may be configured to supply powerto the electronic smoking device portion with a higher electricalcurrent than the electrical current provided by the portable electronicdevice.

The energy storage may comprise a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

The energy storage may have a capacity between 1 and 5000milliampere-hours (mAh), preferred between 10 and 2500 mAh, morepreferred between 30 and 500 mAh, even more preferred approximately 400mAh.

An electrical current of, for example approximately 100 mA, may beprovided by the portable electronic device and subsequently beconverted, by the module, into electrical current between 1-2 Amperes.That is, the energy storage of the module is configured to convert thelower current delivered from the portable electronic device into ahigher current, i.e. such that enough energy for a puff is provided. Forexample, assuming a charging efficiency of 70%, it may take no more than30 minutes to fully charge a battery of the module (having a capacity ofapproximately 40 mAh), when coupled to a portable electronic device(which is configured to supply power with an electrical current ofapproximately 100 mA). Once fully charged, the portable electronicdevice can be unplugged and the module may supply power for about 20puffs without any additional power source. If the portable electronicdevice remains coupled to the module, the user will be able to get morethan 20 puffs as the portable electronic device charges the energystorage of the module between subsequent puffs.

The module may comprise a controller unit configured to communicate withthe portable electronic device. The controller unit may communicate withthe portable electronic device via the second coupling element of themodule.

The controller unit may be configured to transmit, via the firstcoupling element, a control signal to the electronic smoking deviceportion upon reception, via the second coupling element, of an inputsignal from the portable electronic device.

The electronic smoking device portion may be controlled, via the module,by using the portable electronic device, thereby enabling the control ofan electronic smoking device portion, even if the electronic smokingdevice portion does not comprise any interface to control the electronicsmoking device portion. Thus, a simple structure of an electronicsmoking device portion may be provided.

The module may comprise an activation button operable to generate anactivation signal, wherein the controller unit is configured to transmita power control signal to the electronic smoking device portion upongeneration of the activation signal.

The power control signal may enable the direct control of the atomizer,thereby enabling the user to activate the atomizer without pressing abutton or other sensor on the electronic smoking device portion, andsimplifying its use.

The power supply element may be adapted to transfer electrical power tothe electronic smoking device portion via the first coupling elementwith an electrical current between 0.1 and 5 Amperes, preferably between0.5 and 4 Amperes, even more preferably between 1 and 3 Amperes.

The power supplied by the portable electronic device at a lower currentmay be converted, by the module, into power supplied to the electronicsmoking device portion at a higher current, such that the electronicsmoking device portion can be directly powered—and thus used —, even ifthe battery of the electronic smoking device portion is discharged.

The first coupling element may be a female electrical connector, inparticular a coaxial connector. The second coupling element may be amale electrical connector, in particular a male connector according tothe Micro-USB standard.

The module may be configured to transmit an identification signal to theportable electronic device upon attachment of the portable electronicdevice to the second coupling element.

The identification signal being transmitted to the portable electronicdevice may trigger the execution of a computer program on the portableelectronic device, wherein the computer program is configured to controlthe electronic smoking device portion, via the module.

Alternatively, a download of such a computer program may be initiated,in case the computer program is not installed on the portable electronicdevice.

In one aspect, a system for powering an electronic smoking deviceportion may comprise a portable electronic device, an electronic smokingdevice portion, and a module, wherein the portable electronic device iscoupled to the module, wherein the electronic smoking device portion iscoupled to the module, wherein the portable electronic device isconfigured to supply energy to the module.

A system for powering an electronic smoking device portion may beprovided, which enables a mobile user to recharge and use the electronicsmoking device portion on the go.

The portable electronic device may be configured to control theelectronic smoking device portion via the module.

The portable electronic device may be configured to control the poweringof the electronic smoking device portion via the module. The portableelectronic device may be configured to adjust at least one of the powersettings of the electronic smoking device portion, and request andreceive usage data from the portable electronic device. The usage datamay include a vaping history of the electronic smoking device portion.

The portable electronic device may comprise a human-machine interface,wherein the portable electronic device is configured to transmit theinput signal to the module upon detection of a user input at thehuman-machine interface. Thus, a relatively simple control of thepowering process, as well as other functionalities of the electronicsmoking device portion may be provided via the module.

The energy storage of the power supply element of the module may have ahigher discharge rate than a secondary battery of the portableelectronic device.

In one aspect, a method for powering an electronic smoking deviceportion by using a module may comprise coupling a portable electronicdevice to the second coupling element, supplying energy, by the portableelectronic device, to the module via the second coupling element,coupling the electronic smoking device portion to the first couplingelement, and powering, by the power supply element, the electronicsmoking device portion via the first coupling element.

The method may further comprise communicating with the electronicsmoking device portion, via the module by using a human-machineinterface of the portable electronic device.

Communicating with the electronic smoking device portion may includecontrolling the powering of the electronic smoking device portion viathe module. Communicating with the electronic smoking device portion mayinclude adjusting at least one of the power settings of the electronicsmoking device portion, and requesting or receiving usage data from theportable electronic device. The usage data may include a vaping historyof the electronic smoking device portion.

A user may be enabled to adjust settings of the electronic smokingportion, as well as acquire information about the electronic smokingdevice portion without the need for buttons or a display on theelectronic smoking device portion itself.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope ofthe appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   10, 100 electronic smoking device/electronic smoking device portion-   11, 110 coupling element-   12 battery portion/electronic smoking device portion-   14 atomizer/liquid reservoir portion/electronic smoking device    portion-   16 end cap-   18 battery-   20 light-emitting diode (LED)-   22 control electronics-   24 airflow sensor-   26 atomizer-   28 heating coil-   30 wick-   32 central passage-   34 liquid reservoir-   36 air inhalation port-   38 air inlets-   40, 140, 240 module-   41 first coupling element-   42 second coupling element-   43 activation button-   50 portable electronic device-   51 human-machine interface-   52 further second coupling element-   53 secondary battery-   60 energy storage/power supply element-   61, 62, 63, 64 circuit portion-   70 microcontroller/controller unit-   71,72 circuit portions

1. A module for powering an electronic smoking device portion, themodule comprising: a first coupling element adapted to connect to theelectronic smoking device portion, a second coupling element adapted toconnect to a portable electronic device, a power supply element adaptedfor powering the electronic smoking device portion, wherein the powersupply element comprises an energy storage wherein the module is adaptedto supply energy, received from the portable electronic device via thesecond coupling element, to the energy storage.
 2. The module accordingto claim 1, wherein the energy storage comprises a storage batteryadapted to power the electronic smoking device portion via the firstcoupling element.
 3. The module according to claim 1, wherein the energystorage has a capacity between 1 and 5000 milliampere-hours (mAh). 4.The module according to claim 1, wherein the module comprises acontroller unit configured to communicate with the portable electronicdevice.
 5. The module according to claim 4, wherein the controller unitis configured to transmit a control signal to the electronic smokingdevice portion via the first coupling element upon reception of an inputsignal from the portable electronic device via the second couplingelement.
 6. The module according to claim 4, wherein the modulecomprises an activation button operable to generate an activationsignal, wherein the controller unit is configured to transmit a powercontrol signal to the electronic smoking device portion upon generationof the activation signal.
 7. The module according to claim 1, whereinthe power supply element is adapted to transfer electrical power to theelectronic smoking device portion via the first coupling element with anelectrical current between 0.1 and 5 Amperes.
 8. The module according toclaim 1, wherein the first coupling element is a female electricalconnector, and wherein the female electrical connector is a coaxialconnector.
 9. The module according to claim 1, wherein the secondcoupling element is a male electrical connector according to theMicro-USB standard.
 10. The module according to claim 1, wherein themodule is configured to transmit an identification signal to theportable electronic device upon attachment of the portable electronicdevice to the second coupling element.
 11. A system for powering anelectronic smoking device portion, the system comprising: a portableelectronic device, the electronic smoking device portion, the moduleaccording to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is coupledto the module, wherein the electronic smoking device portion is coupledto the module, and wherein the portable electronic device is configuredto supply energy to the module.
 12. The system according to claim 11,wherein the portable electronic device is configured to control theelectronic smoking device portion via the module.
 13. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the portable electronic device comprisesa human-machine interface, and wherein the portable electronic device isconfigured to transmit an input signal to the module upon detection of auser input at the human-machine interface.
 14. A method for powering anelectronic smoking device portion by using the module according to claim1, wherein the method comprises: coupling the portable electronic deviceto the second coupling element, supplying energy, from the portableelectronic device, to the module via the second coupling element,coupling the electronic smoking device portion to the first couplingelement, supplying power, from the power supply element to theelectronic smoking device portion via the first coupling element. 15.The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:communicating with the electronic smoking device portion, via themodule, by using a human-machine interface of the portable electronicdevice.
 16. The module according to claim 3, wherein the energy storagehas a capacity between 10 and 2500 mAh.
 17. The module according toclaim 16, wherein the energy storage has a capacity between 30 and 500mAh.
 18. The module according to claim 17, wherein the energy storagehas a capacity of approximately 400 mAh.
 19. The module according toclaim 7, wherein the electrical current is between 0.5 and 4 Amperes.20. The module according to claim 19, wherein the electrical current isbetween 1 and 3 Amperes.